Newly surfaced text messages are casting fresh attention on the relationship between Tyler Perry and actor Mario Rodriguez, who has accused the filmmaker of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed last week.
Rodriguez, who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” claims in the lawsuit that Perry assaulted him during encounters between 2014 and 2019. He alleges that he cut off contact in 2019, although Perry continued reaching out afterward. However, screenshots of messages now show Rodriguez initiating contact years later, including messages sent on Thanksgiving 2024 and again on Aug. 31, 2025.
In one of the Thanksgiving messages, Rodriguez thanked Perry for supporting him through difficult moments and said he appreciated him “to the moon.” Another set of messages dated Aug. 31 shows Rodriguez discussing ongoing health problems, saying he lacked health insurance and was frightened and struggling financially.
The messages were reviewed by The Associated Press after being provided by a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, firmly refuted the allegations.
“I said it before and I will say it again,” Spiro said in a statement. “This is nothing but a $77 million money grab scam.”
Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages, accusing Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Perry has denied all allegations.
The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, which Rodriguez has done.
The lawsuit follows a separate case filed in June by actor Derek Dixon, who alleged Perry groped him while working on the television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” The case was initially filed in a California state court and later transferred to federal court in Georgia, where Perry is based. Perry has also denied Dixon’s claims.
AP indicated that it reached out to Rodriguez’s attorney, Jonathan Delshad, for comment regarding the text messages but did not receive a response. Delshad also represents Dixon.
